By Sean McDaniel: WBA heavyweight champion David Haye (25-1, 23 KO’s) revealed that his May 21st title defense has now been canceled and his next fight will instead be on July 2nd, hopefully against IBF/WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (55-3, 49 KO’s). Haye also said that he wants to fight WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko (41-2, 38 KO’s) if Haye can beat Wladimir.

Speaking to the BBC Sport, Haye said “I believe we’re close to agreeing. We should know something in the next couple of days. One way or another, I’ll be fighting in July. My fight in May has been canceled. I’m fighting in July. I’m hoping it’s Wladimir Klitschko. Should know soon. It seems like at this stage they’re ready to do it…After this, his brother [Vitali].”

Haye had been thought to be defending his World Boxing Association title against number #1 challenger Ruslan Chagaev on May 21st. Haye didn’t seem all that eager to take that fight for a fight against number #2 challenger if Chagaev didn’t get permission to fight Haye in the UK by the British Boxing Board of Control. The Klitschko fight, whether Wladimir or Vitali, will bring Haye huge money, much more than he would get in his title defense against Chagaev or Povetkin.

It makes sense that Haye is trying to make that fight happen instead. If Haye can beat Wladimir on July 2nd, then Haye says he wants to go ahead and fight his brother Vitali and then retire from boxing. Wladimir, as of now, has a fight scheduled against Dereck Chisora on April 30th. This may change if a fight with Haye gets signed because Wladimir might not want to risk suffering an injury before the Haye bout, which will take place only two months after the Chisora fight.